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Day 503

3000 Miles: I Can Wait No More

Apr 26

Written by:
4/26/2010 7:23 AM

There is a nausea growing in my stomach. It isn’t unfamiliar as it is repeatedly planted by the knowledge that I am once again about to go it alone on a long voyage across open ocean. Sometime Monday morning or perhaps Tuesday the Isabela Port Captain will again make his rounds of the cruisers anchorage. If he finds my boat here again he’ll know I am not authorized to be here and have been present for at least one week. I arrived the day after his inspection two weeks ago which means I’ve spent almost 14 days on an island that was forbidden to my vessel and I. I can’t chance the repercussions which leaves me 3000 miles to cover between here and the Marquesas.

There has been lonesomeness in my heart since I’ve been on Isabela. The evenings have been filled with rum and passion fruit juice and the sounds of my new friends and I making music and singing into small hours of the night. I am loath to leave, but know that the nausea will continue to grow until I face the fear, up anchor, and begin counting off the miles.

It is hard to believe that on such a small boat one could travel with an elephant, but be sure I’ve had an elephant in the room since I departed Kemah, TX 14 months ago. He’s been with me since I was 16 and while we have done tentative battle a few times, mostly we stare at each other from a distance knowing that one day either I’d kill him or he’d kill me.

In Panama I bought five cartons of cigarettes. I am now down to 13 packs and I am not buying more. If I ration no more than 5 – 10 cigarettes a day they might last, but I don’t expect them too. I’ll either find the will power to stop smoking before they run out, or face the potentially more frightening thought of running out on the way and finding myself quitting not by choice, but by lack of option.

I don’t really know what I’ll find across this expanse of Pacific Ocean either in terms of the challenge of the sail or in terms of dealing with a month of solitude. I’ve always looked forward to this leg of my trip, but standing on the edge and looking into the deep, I wonder how crazy I am?

When the SPOT updates quit showing up on the position page, please send me a SMS via the contact us page. I don’t know when it will lose connectivity. I’ll have to email updates after that so expect them to come slower. I cannot receive email or read facebook while underway so please send questions or comments via the same means. I’ll try to respond upon the next log posting. Much love to you all. Lee

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8 comment(s) so far...

Re: 3000 Miles: I Can Wait No More

Unknown Aurthor

Lee
In order to discover new lands,one must be willing to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.
The picture that comes with it is of a sailboat.I know the road ahead looks scarey,but many before you have done it and I truely believe you have it in you. Hey if a 16 year girl can do it you surley can. Just hold close in your heart that the Angels will surround you and keep you out of harms way . You have to trust and continue to believe in yourself that all things come to those who hold stedfast.May you have following seas and fair winds and may the Gods keep you safe.

KEEP INFO COMING WHENEVER YOU CAN. BE SAFE .WE MISS YOU TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
PATRICIA

By Patricia on 4/26/2010 1:58 PM

Re: 3000 Miles: I Can Wait No More

Good luck my friend and have a safe voyage.
You're a hell of a lot braver than me Gunga Din.
I'll keep you in my prayers.

Dave

By Dave on 4/26/2010 3:31 PM

Re: 3000 Miles: I Can Wait No More

Hey, Lee,
I can totally understand. Between good-bye and hello, many an abyss awaits...
I quit smoking over 10 years ago, after 20 years doing it. The 1st week's tough. I chewed nicotine gums and drank lots of coffee. A big relapse in the following year, and then a small one the year after. Now I don't even like the smell. I would always say: everyone needs to quit it yesterday. If you can cut it down to 1 pack a week, to reduce the addiction, eventually you forget about it, especially when being busy with physical activities. You can do it!

By Weide on 4/26/2010 11:22 PM

Re: 3000 Miles: I Can Wait No More

Hey lee!!!
Good luck with your trip across to the Marquesas! Claire and I had a rad old time in San cristobal, even if it was severely shortened because I had issues with bloody export permits..... Im sitting in guayaquil airport trying to kill 10 hours before my next flight. Plus I have a giant pile of super heavy luggage to hang out with until checkin.

Love the website, its awesome! Keep it real, Peace out etc etc.

:)

By Jody on 4/27/2010 2:22 PM

Re: 3000 Miles: I Can Wait No More

Godspeed and good winds, brother. Let us know when you get there and we will be watching SPOT to track your progress.

By Steven on 4/27/2010 8:33 PM

Re: 3000 Miles: I Can Wait No More

As always, our prayers are with you! We'll be waiting to hear from you. Hugs!

By Mel & Bert on 4/28/2010 9:36 AM

Re: 3000 Miles: I Can Wait No More

Rock and Roll man, take it easy and can't wait to hear where you are when you get back up and "plugged in."
Enjoy the solitude - it can be refreshing.

By Bill Brandenberger on 4/29/2010 6:49 PM

Re: 3000 Miles: I Can Wait No More

kristyn sends you a virtual slap and called you a bitch. lets just call it a bitch slap.

By dax on 4/30/2010 1:16 PM

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